Stiff neck is one of the most common problems in people. When we sit in front of a computer for long period, we sleep in an awkward position, when we carry heavy loads or when we strain a muscle due to bad posture, and then these conditions can lead to a stiff neck.
Also, there are other causes which can lead to a stiff neck such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, meningitis, stress, and anxiety which create tension in the neck muscles, and injury or trauma which can affect the neck.
You can feel many symptoms such as pain and soreness when you are moving your neck and when you are trying to turn your head to the sides. When you have a stiff neck, then this can lead to arm pain, headache, or shoulder pain. In most cases, this is not a reason for which you should worry. But it can make you sleep harder and you cannot do the everyday activities in the normal way. This problem can be better in a few days or in one week. You can change some things that you do in your life. Also, you can use home remedies which can help you to rid of the symptoms caused by a stiff neck. If you have noticed that your condition is not improving, then you should talk with your doctor to give you the right treatment for your condition. Here are some home remedies which can help you to improve your condition:
8 Natural treatments for stiff neck
Contents
Massage
If you suffer from a stiff neck, then you can use massage. It will help you to get relief from the symptoms caused by a stiff neck. When you are massaging your neck, then you are increasing the blood circulation which means that your muscles will be relaxed. This method can help you to reduce the stiffness in your neck. Also, this method will help you to improve your sleeping. You can use a hot bath because in this way you will help yourself to relax the muscles. You should slightly warm olive, mustard, or coconut oil. Then, you should apply some of the mentioned oils to the affected areas. You should massage your neck with gentle moves for a period of a few minutes. If you have noticed that your condition is worsening or you cannot massage yourself because the pain you feel is too big, then you should talk with your professional massage therapist to help you with the massage. Also, you can ask some friends or family members to do the massage for you. [1,5]
Cayenne pepper
If you want to rid of a stiff neck, then you should use cayenne pepper as your natural remedy. This pepper has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which can help you to reduce the inflammation and pain which are caused by a stiff neck [2]. In two tablespoons of warm olive oil, you should add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder. Then, you should apply this remedy to your neck. Then, you should cover it with a bandage. Let it stay for a few hours. You should repeat this treatment in a period of a few days. Also, you can add cayenne pepper to your meals because in this way you can speed up the recovery process of your neck.
Neck exercises
When you do neck exercises, then you can help yourself to rid of the neck stiffness. The tight and strained neck muscles are a reason for the tension in your neck. You should sit up straight and your body should be relaxed.
Then, you should move your head forward and backward. When your head is forward, then you should put your head toward your chest. When your head is backward, then you should imagine that your head is toward the sky.
You should repeat the mentioned processes in a period of a few minutes. You should tilt your head down to your right shoulder and then to your left shoulder. You should repeat these processes in a period of a few minutes.
You should slowly turn your head and look on the right and turn your head and look on the left. While you are doing these processes you should not turn your body. You should repeat the mentioned processes in a period of a few minutes. The gentle shoulder rolls should be the end of your neck exercises. If you have noticed that when you are doing neck exercises you have a lot of pain, then you should not do them. When we swim on regular basis, then we can prevent a stiff neck. This activity can help us to have a strong neck and back. But when you swim, you should be sure that your techniques are right and that they do not harm you even more. [1]
Cold compress
If you suffer from a stiff neck, then you should use a cold compress as your natural remedy. When we use a cold compress as our natural remedy, then we can prevent the buildup of lactic acid. This kind of acid is a product of muscle metabolism which in many can lead to pain.
Also, the cold temperature from the cold compress can numb the pain which is caused by the stiff neck. In a thin towel, you should put some cube ices and wrap them. You should put the cold compress on the affected areas for a period of ten to fifteen minutes. You should repeat this method for a period of two hours in the first 48 hours. If you do not have ice cubes in your home, then you can use a bag of frozen peas which can help you to get relief from the stiff neck. You should not apply the ice cubes directly to your skin because in this way you can have some side effects. [3]
Heat therapy
When you use a cold compress and you do not have relief from the stiff neck in the first 48 hours, then you should try heat therapy. Heat can help you to decrease stiffness because it can increase blood flow. You should apply a hot compress to the neck area. Let it stay there for ten minutes. You should repeat this treatment 3 – 4 times per day if you want to have the best results. You can use many hot compress techniques such as hot towels, head wrap, a heating pad, or heat wrap. Also when you are taking a shower, then you should put slightly hot water on your neck. You should put water on your neck for a period of five minutes. While you are doing this process you should not move or turn your neck. You should repeat this treatment two or three times per day.
Epsom salt
This kind of salt is made from magnesium sulfate which means that it can help you if you suffer from a stiff neck. This kind of salt can improve circulation and also it can help in the control process of the enzymes in our body [4]. This can help you to reduce the stress and tension in your neck muscles. In a bathtub full of warm water you should add two cups of Epsom salt. You should soak your neck in this kind of water for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should repeat this process three times per day. If you suffer from diabetes or you have kidney problems, then you should not use this kind of treatment.
Peppermint oil
This kind of oil has menthol which can help you to soothe the stiff neck. Also, this oil has analgesic properties which can help you to reduce the discomfort and pain which are caused by this condition. You should warm two teaspoons of olive oil in the microwave. Warm it for a period of a few seconds. Then, you should add a few drops of peppermint oil to the warm olive oil. Then, you should massage your neck with mixed oils. You should massage yourself with this oil two times per day for a period of a few days. In a big bowl of cold water, you should add two drops of peppermint oil. Then, you should soak a washcloth in this kind of mixture. You should put the washcloth on the affected areas for ten to fifteen minutes. If you think that your stiffness is still there, then you should repeat this home treatment. Children who have sensitive skin should not use peppermint oil as their natural treatment. [5]
Apple cider vinegar
This kind of vinegar has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can help you if you suffer from a stiff neck. When you have a nutrient deficiency, then you can feel muscle pain and strain which can be reduced when you use apple cider vinegar as your natural remedy. You should soak a paper napkin in unfiltered and raw apple cider vinegar. Then, you should apply this remedy to your neck. You should let this remedy stay on your neck for a period of a few hours. You should repeat this treatment two times per day to have the best results. In lukewarm bathwater, you should add two cups of apple cider vinegar. You should soak your neck in this mixture for fifteen minutes. Do this treatment once per day until you have noticed improvements in your stiff neck condition. [6]
References:
[1] Skillgate E, Bill AS, Cote P, et al. The effect of massage therapy and/or exercise therapy on subacute or long-lasting neck pain – the Stockholm neck trial (STONE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:414.
[2] Sarabon N, Lofler S, Cvecka J, et al. Acute effect of different concentrations of cayenne pepper cataplasm on sensory-motor functions and serum levels of inflammation-related biomarkers in healthy subjects. European Journal of Translational Myology. 2018;28(1):7333.
[3] Arthritis Research UK. Neck pain. Retrieved from www.southend.nhs.uk/media/188264/arc_neck_pain_patient_info_and_exercises.pdf
[4] Gröber U, Werner T, Vormann J, Kisters K. Myth or reality—Transdermal magnesium? Nutrients. 2017;9(8):813.
[5] Lakhan SE, Sheafer H, Tepper D. The effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Research and Treatment. 2016;2016:8158693.
[6] Atik D, Atik C, Karatepe C. The effect of external apple vinegar application on varicosity symptoms, pain, and social appearance anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016.
